Cronos is an EVM-compatible layer‑1 blockchain launched by Crypto.com in 2021, designed as a DeFi layer for Crypto.com’s users. The network combines an EVM chain for smart contracts with a PoS chain for staking and consensus.

Network overview and token metrics

Originally built on the Cosmos SDK, Cronos targeted Crypto.com’s roughly 80 million users as potential on‑chain participants. The project subsequently recorded a major treasury acquisition in 2025.

• Token price: ~$0.074 | ATH: $0.97 (-92%) | ATL: ~$0.004.
• Market capitalization: ~$3.22B | FDV: ~$7.28B.
• TVL (DeFi): ~$298M (-2.80% in 24h) | Bridged TVL: ~$293M.
• Stablecoin volume: ~$179M.
• DEX volume (24h): ~$1.88M | Perps volume: ~$13M.
• Chain fees (24h): ~$121 | App revenue (24h): ~$3,660.
• App fees (24h): ~$18,900 | Inflows (24h): ~$389.

Treasury transaction: Trump Media involvement

In August 2025 Trump Media & Technology Group created a separate vehicle named Trump Media Group CRO Strategy Inc. with initial capital of $1.4B for acquiring $CRO.

Trump Media later recorded a consolidated loss of $406M, including $244M of unrealized losses on crypto positions that cited $CRO among assets.

ETF initiatives and regulatory steps

In December 2025 Crypto.com and 21Shares announced a partnership to launch a CRO Private Trust and pursue a spot ETF denominated in $CRO.

Canary Capital filed an S‑1 with the SEC for a Staked Cronos ETF, and in February 2026 Crypto.com received preliminary approval as a federally regulated bank custodian in the United States.

Upgrades, roadmap and governance risk

Mainnet v1.7 in March 2026 targeted SDK tooling and RPC performance improvements to support increased throughput and developer experience.

The Smarturn upgrade in October 2025 introduced smart accounts to streamline user UX, while POS Mainnet V7 on 20.05.2026 optimized staking economics for long‑term holders.

Governance includes a proposal to reissue 70B previously burned $CRO, restoring the maximum supply to 100B. If approved, this change would create meaningful sell pressure on the market.

Market context

Network design choices have prioritized low fees and faster blocks to encourage activity, reducing fee revenue relative to market capitalization.

With a corporate distribution model, institutional actions and treasury allocations now shape Cronos’s narrative alongside ongoing product upgrades and regulatory developments.